On August 17, 2012, NF Hero Bailey Gribben was invited to spend a day with the New York Yankees. He was chosen in recognition of his daily courage in the face of NF and his outstanding fundraising efforts on behalf of the Children’s Tumor Foundation. Below is Bailey’s account of the experience, as well as photos from the event. Way to go Bailey, well-deserved and many thanks!
Hi. I am Bailey Gribben from Long Island, N.Y. and I have NF2, but it does not have me!
On August 17, 2012, my 15th birthday, I was invited by the New York Yankee baseball organization to be their on-field guest at batting practice before watching the Yankee/Red Sox game. I was so excited for this once-in-a-lifetime experience and honored to be invited by the Yankees.
One person was allowed to come with me onto the field. I choose my sister, Shannon, because she was awesome enough to buy me the ticket to the game as my birthday present. She also asked my mom to email the Yankees to see if they could do anything special for me on my birthday. A few days later we received a call from Bridget, their Community Relations Coordinator. She said that they were so impressed with both the fundraising that I continue to do on behalf of the Children’s Tumor Foundation and that, despite having numerous surgeries and doctor appointments, I continue to remain positive and focused on raising awareness and funds to help find a cure for neurofibromatosis.
At 4 p.m. we were allowed to enter Yankee Stadium early. Bridget gave me a gift bag which contained a Yankee cap, a figurine of Mark Teixeira, a baseball card of Mariano Rivera, a school supply kit, and a birthday card from the Yankees. While Shannon and I were escorted to the field through the VIP underground tunnel, my mom and our friends got to sit in the front row behind home plate.
It was super cool to be on the field at Yankee Stadium right next to the world famous Yankees and watch them practice. We yelled out their names and got some smiles and waves. Manager Joe Girardi ran right past us and we saw A-Rod in the dugout. There were lots of cameras around since they were playing the Red Sox. When Derek Jeter finished practicing he came over to us and that was the highlight of my day. He signed my birthday card and a baseball. He also signed Shannon’s ticket. It was so awesome and unreal to be standing right next to this baseball hero.
When all the Yankees went inside, Shannon and I got to sit in the Yankee dugout and take some photos. Then we were escorted off the field into the tunnel again where we saw the outside of the players’ clubhouse. Afterwards we got to visit Monument Park which is my favorite part of Yankee Stadium. To top off one of the best days of my life, during the 6th inning “Happy Birthday Bailey Gribben” was displayed on the big screen AND the Yankees won the game and beat the Rod Sox!
I am proud and honored to be recognized for my fundraising efforts for CTF and I will continue to raise awareness to help find a cure for NF.
